Gómez Farías, Valentín, 1781-1858

Political leader and interim president of Mexico. Born 1781 in Guadalajara; died 1858 in Mexico City. Gómez Farías practiced medicine in Aguascalientes where he was magistrate of the municipal government. Other offices he held include: deputy to the congress of Cádiz (1812), deputy to the first constituent congress (1821), senator for Jalisco (1825-1830), and minister of Treasury (Feb.-March 1833). In 1833 Gómez Farías was elected vice-president under Antonio López de Santa Anna. In 1833, 1834, 1846, and 1847, he served intermittently as interim president in Santa Anna's absence. Gómez Farías led the movement known as the First Reform, which attempted to diminish the power of the church in civil affairs and to establish public education and other reforms. In 1850 he ran unsuccessfully for the presidency of Mexico. In 1855 he was president of the junta of representatives of the Plan of Ayutla. In 1856, as deputy for Jalisco, he presided over the national constituent congress.

Political leader and interim president of Mexico. Born 1781 in Guadalajara; died 1858 in Mexico City. Gómez Farías practiced medicine in Aguascalientes where he was magistrate of the municipal government. Other offices he held include: deputy to the congress of Cádiz (1812), deputy to the first constituent congress (1821), senator for Jalisco (1825-1830), and minister of Treasury (Feb.-March 1833). In 1833 Gómez Farías was elected vice-president under Antonio López de Santa Anna. In 1833, 1834, 1846, and 1847, he served intermittently as interim president in Santa Anna's absence. Gómez Farías led the movement known as the First Reform, which attempted to diminish the power of the church in civil affairs and to establish public education and other reforms. In 1850 he ran unsuccessfully for the presidency of Mexico. In 1855 he was president of the junta of representatives of the Plan of Ayutla. In 1856, as deputy for Jalisco, he presided over the national constituent congress.